Everlasting Friendship - April 18, 2011
The city was very much active during the long, summer days. The sun shone brightly over the trees of the Fire Province, causing the black pavement to glow with heat. The shops were open for business and the civilians of the city started off to work. As the Village went about their business, they failed to notice the troublesome, young little boys lurking in the shadows. The blond-haired boy, most likely to be seven years of age, with bright-gray eyes smiled over to his best friend, buzzing in excitement.
“ Ok, Kenta! Time for phase one! ” the blonde whispered menacingly. The other boy, an exact year younger then the blonde, black-hair and shimmering purple eyes, responded in agreement.
“ Let’s do it, Raiden! Operation Free Toy is in motion! ” They both ducked into the cover of the trees, spotting their target. Immediately, the Dynamic Duo broke into a sprint, dashing past the confused Villagers. Kenta laughed at their puzzled faces as they charged into a dark alley, plunging themselves in huge mounds of sawgrass. Their little joy-filled eyes peered above the grass, eyeing their obstacles that they must avoid to proceed with their scheme. They turned to each other, reading each other’s expressions. Abruptly, Kenta couldn’t help but laugh. Raiden joined him. They both couldn’t help but laugh, bursting out in childish giggles as their perfect plan was about to take place. When they finally calmed down, they readied themselves for the catch.
“ Raiden, whatever happens, best bud’s forever? ” Kenta asked, holding up a clenched fist towards his life-long friend.
Raiden smirked. “ Forever! ” he replied, pounding his fist against Kenta’s. They nodded to each other, and in a flash, they were charging through the crowd toward their designated mark. Once again, they began to chuckle wildly as the people stopped to stare. Suddenly, something caught Kenta’s attention. A young man was hauling a vegetable cart across the main center of town. As they crossed, Kenta made the silliest face at the young man, who took his eyes off the road to yell a few curses. That had Raiden doubling over in laughter, clutching his stomach as he ran alongside his marveling friend. Before the man knew it, the cart had slammed against a lamppost, knocking all his merchandise to the floor. Kenta was Raiden’s closet friend. They did everything together. Messed with the townspeople, tricked the silent Gate Guards of the Fire Province Gates, left pranks for the tourists, and raided the village inns. Everything. Yet, their personal favorite, was playing with the merchant. Their wasn’t one thing Kenta and Raiden, The ultra Dynamic Duo, would ever do together. Basically, they were famous. The whole city knew them, and what they were capable of. They were also getting used to the trouble they caused anyways, until, one fed-up merchant finally got tired of it. Then, came the unfortunate day, they were caught. As they reached the desired toy shop, they ducked and rolled under the cover of the wide overlapping counter. The giddy merchant was unaware of the boys presence. A wide devious smile stretched across Raiden’s face. Instantly, Kenta sprang up, snatched the nearest action figure and dashed away. Raiden leaped up after him, listening and laughing to the outraged merchant shouting from behind. They raced toward the nearest alley, which was a few blocks away. Just for fun, Raiden glanced behind him, preparing to make a ridiculous face at the merchant, laughing. Suddenly, the playful look on Raiden’s face changed to immediate fear. Behind them, the merchant was holding and aiming a forbidden Luminian Shard Sniper. The townspeople didn’t stop the enraged man. A matter of fact, they just walked by his shop, watching in shock, but doing nothing about it. Raiden’s eyes widened as he noticed that merchant was not aiming at him…but at his giggling friend, Kenta, running happily alongside of him. He was clutching the stolen action figure, trying to get into the dark alley. Raiden thought about what he was about to do. He was wasting time. Save his life long friend and die, or leave Kenta to die and rush for safety? He followed his heart. A gunshot was heard. With full thought and decision, Raiden rammed himself into Kenta, sending him flying off to the side. Raiden cried out in agony as the glowing venom filled shard penetrated his leg. All feeling was lost in his calf as he tumbled to the floor, rolling and skidding until he came o a stop. Raiden has never felt pain such as this before. His vision began to blur. He desperately gasped for breath as the poison seeped through his body. Sobbing and wide-eyed, he glanced up o see Kenta staring in shock at him not to far away. Raiden’s hand was outstretched to him as tears poured down his bruised face. He heard the merchant laughing evilly behind them.
“ K-Kenta! Get out of h-here!!! ” he wailed, crying through the immense pain. Kenta scrambled to his feet, leaving the action figure sprawled on the floor. Before he ran, Kenta gave Raiden one last look of sorrow. Raiden read his eyes as he writhed in pain.
I’ll come back for you, my friend…best bud’s forever! Kenta thought. He then turned, and sprinted into the forest.
He felt a warm blood dribbling down his leg from the wound.
He called out for help…to the villagers, the workers…no one came. Was it because all the trouble him and Kenta caused…? All the people walked by him, some gaging in disgust, others giving away a sympathetic aura at the left-for-dead boy, crying in pain on the hot asphalt. The pain was increasing, numbness moving from his lower body, the poison snaking its way to his heart. The angerd Merchant was no where to be seen. Finally, young Raiden gave up staying conscious. He rested his head on his arm, the sun roasting his back.
“ K-Kenta…”
-Kin Kazama